Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) invites the community to take part in Big Library Read, the world’s largest global eBook reading club through libraries and schools that connects millions of readers around the world with the same eBook at the same time.

From April 1 to April 15, MCL cardholders can borrow, read, and discuss Abu Bakr al Rabeeah and Winnie Yeung’s heartbreaking yet hopeful “Homes: A Refugee Story” eBook with no waitlists or holds by visiting midcolumbialibraries.org/ebooks or by downloading the one-touch reading app, Libby. Readers can join an online discussion about the book at discuss.biglibraryread.com. And, readers can use #BigLibraryRead on social media for a chance to win a Kobo Aura H2O from OverDrive.

“Homes: A Refugee Story” is a 2018 Governor General's Literary Award finalist for nonfiction and was chosen by a popular vote of readers and librarians worldwide. The book chronicles the struggles of the al Rabeeah family who left their home in Iraq for Syria in hope of a safer life just before the Syrian civil war broke out. Abu Bakr, one of eight children, was ten years old when the violence began on the streets around him: car bombings, attacks on his mosque and school, firebombs late at night. It tells of the strange juxtaposition of growing up as a typical teenager in a war zone.

The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees. For more information, visit biglibraryread.com. To get a free digital library card, visit midcolumbialibraries.org/ebooks and follow the “Need a card?” prompt to get started.

On March 27, Captain Shane Nelson presented the Washington State Patrol’s Commendation Award and a Challenge Coin to Benton REA Journeyman Lineman Cody Bradshaw, John Richards and Willie Yager, Benton REA General Manager Mike Bradshaw, and Benton PUD Journeyman Lineman Joe Garner and Shawn Hiebert.

“At Benton REA, we believe that our obligation to the people in our local communities goes beyond providing electricity,” says General Manager Mike Bradshaw during the award ceremony. “We are glad we could play a small part to help people during the February snow storm. I want to thank the State Patrol for everything you do on a day-to-day basis, because you are the real heroes.”

The Washington State Patrol and Benton County Sheriff deputies called on Benton REA and Benton PUD on February 9 to help rescue motorists stranded in snow drifts on Sellards Road along the Paterson Highway.  Conditions were so difficult the roads had been closed.  The two utility crews used snow crawlers designed to navigate through heavy snow where snow plows could not get through. Working late into the night, they retrieved a family of four, a husband and wife, and several hunters who were stranded in their cars for six hours in blizzard conditions.  The snow was so deep that each of the snow crawlers became stuck in snow drifts requiring help from the second crawler to be pulled out of the drift. The utility crews were able to bring the motorists to safety. 

“The safety of our employees and our customers is a number one priority for us at Benton PUD,” said Chad Bartram Benton PUD General Manager.  “We commend these linemen and all involved in delivering more than expected to bring these stranded motorist to safety during extreme winter conditions.” 

Petersen Hastings, a Registered Investment Advisory firm located in Kennewick, WA, announced today it has been named one of InvestmentNews’ 2019 Top 50 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors in the nation for the second consecutive year. This program is dedicated to identifying and recognizing advisory firms across the United States that empower, encourage, and inspire employees to provide their clients with the best possible investment and financial planning advice. The firm, established in 1962, was named a Top 50 Employer in March, 2018 by InvestmentNews in the inaugural year of the recognition.

“Petersen Hastings is pleased and honored to have again, earned a spot on the InvestmentNews Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors list for 2019,” said Scott Sarber, President of Petersen Hastings. “We strive to go beyond offering our employees attractive benefits and perks: we create a workplace
that empowers our team, giving them the skills and confidence needed to provide our clients with the best possible financial planning team of experts available to them. Being recognized for our accomplishments on a national level for the second consecutive year is a success we are very proud of,” said Sarber.

Workplace culture is one of the major competitive advantages for the future of organizations and the world. Petersen Hastings believes there are three cores of culture: Leadership and Management, Clarity, and Teams. “Having a cohesive Leadership Team where our senior leaders play complementary roles has been foundational for our success. Each team member has clarity around our Petersen Hastings’ purpose, mission, values and short and long-term firm goals and each employee’s individual goals, crafted quarterly, support those strategic anchors,” he said. “We have the right people in the right roles, on the right teams, and continue to develop and invest in each of them.”

Being named a top employer is a reflection of Petersen Hastings’ employee engagement in a number of areas, including personal and professional development, workplace satisfaction and overall team success. “Being an excellent workplace begins with recognizing our team’s aspirations (personal, professional, educational) and nurturing them along with a flexible, family-friendly work environment. By doing this, we are able to create an environment where our employees thrive at being their best,” said Sarber. “This honor reflects our company-wide commitment to our team, our clients, and our
community.”

To learn more about Petersen Hastings’ unique team culture and career opportunities, please visit the “Join Our Team” page on www.petersenhastings.com.

Petersen Hastings is a Registered Investment Advisor located in Kennewick, WA. As a primary fiduciary, Petersen Hastings serves committed investors with complex financial needs. Our multigenerational team of experienced and credentialed professionals delivers innovative solutions through The Trusted
Financial PathTM to enhance and preserve wealth.

For additional information, contact Scott Sarber, CFP®, AIF® at 509-735-0484 or [email protected].

The Arc of Tri-Cities/ Parent to Parent, along with Kennewick School District, Pasco School District and PAVE, offers a special Three Part Training on Special Education. Each Night is a different topic. Part One: Tracy Wilson and Matt Scott-Special
Education 101 & Meet and talk to the directors. Part Two: KSD/PSD staff & PAVE-What is an IEP? What can it be used for? Part Three: PAVE and Parent to Parent-What Resources are available to help? Training is free.

Date: March 26, 2019, April 24, 2019, May 22, 2019
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Place: The Arc of Tri-Cities
1455 SE Fowler
Richland, WA 99352

“We are excited to bring the Kadlec OB/GYN Clinic into the Prosser Memorial Health family and expand the healthcare services we can offer our community. The Kadlec Clinic in Prosser has always been a partner of ours and with this transition we are able to build on that partnership,” said Craig Marks, Chief Executive Officer of Prosser Memorial Health. “Prosser Memorial Health is pleased to add the OB/GYN clinic in Prosser to our clinic offering. The new clinic aligns perfectly with our mission.”

Dr. Brian Sollers and Physician’s Assistant Teresa Charvet will continue to provide care at the clinic employed by Prosser Memorial Health. The clinic, located at 336 Chardonnay Avenue, adjacent to Prosser Memorial Health’s Prosser Clinic, will be called Prosser Women’s Health Clinic.

“I’m excited about this transition. Caring for patients isn’t just a job for me, it’s my passion and Prosser is my home. As Prosser Memorial Health expands to bring additional needed healthcare services, I look forward to growing excellent women’s healthcare in our underserved communities.” said Brian Sollers, DO, Chief Medical Officer, Prosser Memorial Health.

The clinic transition will occur April 1, 2019. Current patients of the clinic will receive official notification of the transition. There will be no care disruptions for patients during this process.

​In addition to this transition, Prosser Memorial Health will begin an extensive remodeling project at the Prosser Clinic next door. The remodel will convert the current unused pharmacy space into exam rooms and an Imaging Center. When complete, the clinic will be open from 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week offering full laboratory and x-ray services, similar to the new Grandview Clinic.

Elite Construction & Development is proud to welcome Rosa Torres as Finance Director. As a member of the management team, Rosa provides strategic vision and leadership as Elite continues to grow into new sectors of the construction industry.

Rosa brings over 20 years’ experience managing finances for
leading global companies. Most recently Rosa worked with Microsoft as a Financial Controller and Sr. Financial Manager.

Prior to that, she served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Starbucks, working on their supply chain.

“Rosa is a proven leader helping established brands grow efficiently across multiple industries,” said Elite Construction & Development President and CEO Trini Garibay. Adding “With her hands-on supply chain experience, she will assist us in streamlining our financial reporting and strategy.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience back to my hometown and work with a community-focused company, “ said Rosa Torres, Elite Construction and Development Finance Director. “I am proud to be a part of their continued growth and success.”

HAPO President & CEO Steve Anderson is proud to announce its official partnership with Franklin County. As part of HAPO’s growing community support, the TRAC facility located in Pasco, WA will be renamed the “HAPO Center” and incorporate HAPO signage, branding and ATM services throughout the venue.

“We are grateful to the Franklin County Commissioners and TRAC Management for this opportunity to help support and enhance a venue that brings family friendly events and revenue to the Columbia Basin” said Anderson. HAPO is a local, legacy business since 1953 and is a well-recognized and respected community partner.

“Over the years, we have partnered and supported many local organizations. Whether it’s with The Tri-Cities Cancer Center, to create the “HAPO Wing” or as the “Official Sponsor of Summer” to help bring the “HAPO Columbia Cup” and “HAPO over the River Airshow” into our area, we want our community to prosper as well as increase our brand visibility and share the benefits we offer through membership at HAPO Community Credit Union.”

HAPO Community Credit Union currently has 18 locations in Washington and Oregon. HAPO serves over 160,000 members in our communities.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Tri-Cities Cancer Center will host a Colorectal Screening Information Event for the community on Saturday, March 23rd. The event is open to anyone age 50 or older. The event will begin with a presentation at 10am. RSVP is required by Friday, March 22nd, please call (509) 737-3427.

At the event, participants will:

• Receive education regarding colorectal cancer screening options available
• Discussion on when different colorectal cancer screening options should be utilized
• Instructions for the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), as a screening option
• If appropriate, participants will receive a FREE FIT for at-home screening

What: Colorectal Screening Information Event
When: Saturday, March 23rd, Presentation at 10am – Event ends at Noon
Where: Tri-Cities Cancer Center Wellness Center, 7350 W. Deschutes Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336

Learn the basics of digital marketing with Fuse SPC’s free workshop Thursday, March 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Fuse building, 723 The Parkway in Richland. The workshop, sponsored by Brandcraft, is free and open to the public. 

Digital Marketing 101 introduces concepts of social networking to build brand awareness and create loyal customers. From brand awareness campaigns to increasing conversions online, attendees leave with a deeper understanding of what to include in their digital marketing plans. Topics include the main pillars of digital marketing and how they work together, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and approaches to managing it all.

Dee Boyle, digital marketing strategist for Brandcraft, and Krista Patterson, owner of Northwest Paddle boarding, lead the discussion. Small business owners, marketing and communications specialists, and students are welcome.

Brandcraft is a full-service marketing organization in Richland. It offers a full menu of services, from web design and search engine optimization to photography services, logo design and full package marketing plans. 

Fuse SPC, a social purpose organization, offers coworking space, small business incubator classes and services, and free community events. For more information, visit fusespc.com.

Register for the class at www.fusespc.com/events or https://ti.to/fuse/digitalmarketing-101.

​The Mid-Columbia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) will be featuring a talk titled “Overcoming the Challenges of Virtual Collaboration” at their luncheon on March 20, at the Marriott Courtyard, Columbia Point, 11:30 – 1 pm. 

Speakers Sibyl Kaufman and Mike Madison will share their insight and experiences on working remotely and collaborating with teams across the country in a virtual work environment.  If you work remotely full- or part-time, manage a remote worker, or work on business travel, this talk will provide you with insight in how to make the most out of expanded connectivity. The speakers will present best practices and strategies for maximizing virtual work experiences to achieve excellence in collaboration, communication and problem-solving. 

This event is open to all. Costs, which includes lunch, are $15 for PRSA members and $20 for non-members; payable by cash, check or credit card. 

Please RSVP by March 15 by calling or text 509-378-5273.